Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Short Interest Update

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,940,000 shares, a decline of 18.5% from the November 15th total of 2,380,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,940,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.0 days. Currently, 0.1% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Institutional Trading of Unilever

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UL. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Unilever by 7.1% during the 3rd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 16,726,400 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,086,547,000 after buying an additional 1,114,177 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in Unilever by 26.2% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,384,944 shares of the company’s stock worth $241,145,000 after acquiring an additional 911,443 shares in the last quarter. Saratoga Research & Investment Management raised its position in Unilever by 0.8% during the second quarter. Saratoga Research & Investment Management now owns 2,767,207 shares of the company’s stock worth $152,169,000 after acquiring an additional 22,325 shares during the period. Hamlin Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Unilever by 7.9% during the third quarter. Hamlin Capital Management LLC now owns 2,667,380 shares of the company’s stock valued at $173,273,000 after purchasing an additional 194,165 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fiera Capital Corp grew its position in shares of Unilever by 1,866.0% in the second quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 2,135,859 shares of the company’s stock valued at $117,451,000 after purchasing an additional 2,027,221 shares during the period. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unilever Price Performance

Unilever stock traded up $0.16 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $58.87. The stock had a trading volume of 1,291,256 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,220,323. The company has a market cap of $146.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.73, a PEG ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.48. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $60.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $60.14. Unilever has a 52 week low of $46.46 and a 52 week high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th were paid a $0.4755 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th. This is a boost from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.23%. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 56.63%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on UL shares. Erste Group Bank reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, Bank of America raised shares of Unilever from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the company from $47.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $61.75.

Unilever Company Profile

Unilever PLC operates as a fast-moving consumer goods company in the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. It operates through five segments: Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition, and Ice Cream. The Beauty & Wellbeing segment engages in the sale of hair care products, such as shampoo, conditioner, and styling; skin care products including face, hand, and body moisturizer; and prestige beauty and health & wellbeing products consist of the vitamins, minerals, and supplements.